The urban library program: Integrating theory and work

摘要

The paper reports on a collaborative education model involving library education, faculty and publicnlibrary practitioners preparing under-represented and culturally diverse individuals for employment asnsupport staff in public libraries. The Urban Library Program (ULP) is an intensive ten month educationncertificate at the para-professional level, training students from communities under-represented in thenlibraryworkforce to provide service in Minnesota’s public libraries. ULP, which evolved from a partnershipnbetween the College of Saint Catherine and the Saint Paul Public Library, was awarded a grant by thenInstitute of Museum and Library Services in 2003. Minneapolis Public Library joined the originalnpartners in a second successful proposal to IMLS in 2006 allowing the program to expand beyondnits original vision. As of June 2006, ULP has 31 graduates representing 12 nationalities with 61%nemployed in libraries and 35% pursuing other educational opportunities. Assessment of the Urban LibrarynProgram demonstrates that collaboration between public library administrators and staff, with faculty innlibrary education programs can be successful in combining classroom instruction with praxis learning.nThe program assessment also identifies issues needing further study. The success of this program, thenchallenges it still faces, and the future of educating a diverse workforce will engage the partners for thenforeseeable future.